The talks centred on a circular issued to security officers who reside at the communal living quarters of the estate. In the circular, the property management company had threatened to terminate the lease agreement of tenants who declined or refused to be vaccinated by 1 September 2021.

After engagements with the company, the matter has been resolved amicably, without anyone having to move out of the barracks or being forced to be vaccinated.

These engagements were made taking into account the constitutional rights and ethos enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa, the National Health Act 61 of 2003 as well as the broader societal and governmental interests.

The Commission welcomes the decision of Bondev to withdraw this circular and to afford employees an opportunity to make an informed choice.
While choice underscores its approach, the Commission wishes to emphasize that many lives can still be saved if the residents of this country take every opportunity to get vaccinated. This is the responsible thing to do to ensure that we honour the memory of those who have succumbed to the virus, while laying the foundations for a speedy normalization of our economy and our way of life. These are matters that are firmly in our collective hands.

Ends

Issued By: South African Human Rights Commission and Bondev

For further information contact the Gauteng Provincial Office of the South African Human Rights Commission: Buang Jones, T: 011 877 3752 / C: 078 617 0476; or William Zeederberg, Bondev Director T: 012 661 1177